Bengal-light compound



U ITED STATES .ATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES GERIIARD, OF JERSEY CITY, NEIV JERSEY.

BENGAL-LIGHT COMPOUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 449,530, dated March31, 1891.

Application filed January 22, 1891. Serial No. 378.700. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES GERHAR-D, a citizen of the United States,residing at J ersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of NewJersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Compounds forBengal Lights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a compound produced by copal, ether, alcohol,nitrate of strontia, chlorate of potash, and shellac solution.

In carrying out my invent-ion I take ten pounds of copal and add theretosufficient ether to cover the copal. By comminuting the copal theprocess is expedited. I have found a convenient way to be to spread thecopal over the bottom of a vessel, to then add the ether, andoccasionally stir the mass. When the mixture of copal and ether becomesof a j elly-like consistence, I add a gallon of alcohol and heat themixture to theboiling-point. To the mixture thus produced I add fortypounds nitrate of strontia and ten pounds of chlorate of potash, andalso about a gallon and a half of alcoholic solution of shellac orVarnish. \Vhen this mixture has become set or hardened, it is ready foruse. I have found that the shellac can be dispensed with and thecompound will then burn with equal brilliancy; but an advantage ofadding the shellac is that by such addition the generation of smoke orvapor is diminished or obviated.

The etheris a well-known solvent of copal or resin; but in place ofether any of its wellknown equivalents can be used, such as linseed-oil,hemp-oil, nut-oil, poppy-oil, turpentine-oil, oil of rosemary, benzole,photogen, or acetone.

The manner of using the compound is simi lar to that of using anyBengal-light compound, such as putting the compound in a box or shelland lighting it when required or applying the compound to the end of ahandle or torch for convenient use. By providing the end of the handleor torch with a paper tube or shell and placing the compound in theshell with a suitably-projecting fuse or slow match the compound willalways be in position to be lighted.

The advantages of the mixture are that the copal is a resinous substancewhich offers great resistance to influences of the weather, and beingtreated with ether and alcohol it forms a weather-proof varnish, andtorches or pyrotechnical preparations coated with this varnish will keepin any climate or weather.

The compound prepared according to the above specification can beexposed to atmospheric changes without deteriorating.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A compound for Bengal lights, consisting of copal, ether, alcohol,nitrate of strontia, and chlorate of potash, substantially in theproportion above described.

2. A compound for Bengal lights, consisting of copal, ether, alcohol,nitrate of strontia, chlorate of potash, and shellac solution orvarnish, substantially in the proportion above described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

CHARLES GERI'IARD.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER.

